Newburyport Planning Board Recommends Historic Building Fix, Continues Zoning Overhaul Debate

NEWBURYPORT — April 16, 2026 — Newburyport advances downtown historic-building protection while stalling broader mansionization rules. The Planning Board and City Council's Planning and Development Committee held a joint public hearing April 15 on three zoning amendments, unanimously recommending adoption of Ordinance 220, which clarifies that buildings marked "minor contributing" on 42-year-old district data sheets retain full Downtown Overlay District demolition protections — resolving an interpretation that had left 20 downtown buildings potentially exposed to demolition by right. The far larger Ordinance 221, which would reduce single-family height limits in the R2 district from 35 feet to 25 feet and impose a 0.25 floor area ratio with an 1,850-square-foot floor — the state's Chapter 4 starter-home threshold — was continued to April 28 after extended public criticism over inadequate notice, absent impact data, and the risk of restricting ordinary homeowners. Ordinance 218, codifying aesthetic and neighborhood-character findings for special permits, was also continued. Attorney Lisa Mead told the board that revisions posted the day of the meeting required re-advertising under state law; the planning director said he believed the original advertisement was sufficient but would seek a legal opinion.